ECNV's Be in the Know: July 2024
ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV)
The Mission of ECNV is to empower people with disabilities to live independently.
Here is news of interest for the disability community!
Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the diversity and contributions of people with disabilities. It is an opportunity to recognize the progress made towards equality and to highlight the ongoing efforts for inclusion and accessibility. During this month, we reflect on the importance of disability rights, amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities, and reaffirm our commitment to creating a society where everyone can thrive. Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month and advocating for a more inclusive world. #DisabilityPride #ECNV #Inclusive
Disability Pride Month "Day of Giving" - July 25, 2024!
In honor of Disability Pride Month, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia will be hosting a virtual day of giving on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Their goal is to raise $2,500!
If they meet their goal by 11:59 on July 25th, they will livestream Smidge, a darling fur baby of a dLCV staff member, getting a reward in celebration on July 26th! Smidge has his own lived experience with disability and is happy to lend his 3 paws to the cause.
Senior Cool Care Program
Are you in need of additional cooling during the summer?
The Senior Cool Care Program is a program that helps low-income older citizens in Fairfax County jurisdiction keep cool during summer months. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home by providing air conditioning units or fans for eligible older adults, age 60 and older. The program runs May 1 through October 31, 2024.
If you are interested in learning more about the program, please call the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948.
Metro’s Better Bus Initiative
Metro needs your input on the proposed 2025 Better Bus Network.
Using your input, Metro has developed the proposed 2025 Network, which represents Metro's commitment to improving service and connections using the resources it has today. Your feedback can make a real difference for your community.
You can still discover and offer comments on the proposed 2025 Network online by 5:00 p.m. July 15, 2024 for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Participate online or get the full schedule of in-person events wmata.com/betterbus.
Join Metro’s Accessibility Advisory Committee!
Attention: Metro Riders! Help make a difference as part of Metro’s advisory board for customers with disabilities and senior citizens.
To qualify, candidates must meet the following qualifications:
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2024.
Participate in Community Forums to Provide Input on Services for Residents with Disabilities
The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (COA) and the Fairfax Disability Service Board (FA-DSB) are seeking community input to identify systemic gaps in service and/or barriers Fairfax County residents with disabilities face.
Community Forum for Family Caregivers (Virtual via Zoom) Wednesday, July 31, 2024 7–8:30 p.m. Community Forum for Adults with Disabilities Age 50 and Older (Virtual via Zoom) Friday, August 2, 2024 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Register to attend and receive an email with access instructions. Space is limited.
To request reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Ann Kim at 703-324-7486/TTY 711 or e-mail Ann.Kim@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Transportation Updates!
The Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center opened to the public on Saturday, June 22! This new transit center includes 8 bus bays (new Fairfax Connector service!), free parking, 800+ spaces, a secure bike room, a pick up/drop off area and coming soon, EV charging stations.
Also, effective July 1! NEW ART 56 Military Road-Rosslyn Metro will run during the AM and PM weekday rush hours. It connects Old Glebe Road and Rosslyn Metro. ART 53, 61, and 62 will be discontinued.
Find the ART 56 route map and learn more at ArlingtonTransit.com/ART56.
Springfield Community Business and Transit Center is scheduled to be completed this summer. No official date has been announced yet.
Free Meals Summer Program
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will be providing free meals this summer for students ages 18 and younger at eight locations throughout Loudoun County. Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is participating in a similar program.
VA Benefits for Family and Caregivers
As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, including health care, life insurance, or money for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to get them.
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Deaf Seniors Stay Connected!
Dates: Mondays, May 6 to August 26 Time: 7 - 8 PM Weekly online chats, hosted by a Deaf facilitator, for Deaf senior citizens and students of ASL who have at least intermediate level ASL skills. These hosted chats are casual, inclusive and supportive! Register to join Deaf Seniors Stay Connected. Contact Barbara Eger-Klatt if you have questions. See the flier for more information.
The CDC's Bridge Access Program
CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. This program will end in August 2024. Use these resources to promote the program and expand equitable access for COVID-19 vaccination.
In addition, we have currently paused our flu/COVID clinics. Make sure to bookmark our vaccination page for further updates!
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Get a COVID-19 test for symptoms or exposure. ECNV serves as a supplier for individuals and organizations. For inquiries, please reach out to us at info@ecnv.org or you can get Free at-home tests from USPS.
NASEM Releases Report with New Long COVID Definition
A new report from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) says the federal government, state, and local authorities, clinicians, medical societies and organizations, public health practitioners, employers, educators, and others should adopt a new definition for Long COVID.
NASEM also recently released a report examining Long COVID diagnosis, risk, symptoms, and functional impact.
NCIL's Employment Resource Hub and Peer Network
NCIL’s Employment Resource Hub and Peer Network will be a one-stop resource center to support people living with paralysis and other disabilities to access community and employment resources.
Each peer network call will cover a resource that people with disabilities can use to support their employment journey. The Employment Resource Hub and Peer Network is designed for individuals with disabilities, including individuals living with paralysis and the Independent Living community. We also invite peer advocates, IL Skills Trainers or other IL staff seeking to learn how to use different employment tools in order to provide peer support to consumers.
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 is a diverse collective of people with disabilities and their allies, both with and without disabilities, embarking on a cross-country journey from April to October 2024. This caravan will visit numerous cities, many of which hold significant places in our history.
The purpose of the caravan is to "illuminate both the past and present challenges faced by Americans with disabilities. Our rich history of activism and advocacy continues to address national, regional, and local issues."
Visit thedisabilitycaravan.com for more information and to find out how you can be part of this movement. Check out the route and find a stop near you at thedisabilitycaravan.com/tour-route.
New Laws Effective July 1st!
On July 1, 2024, several new laws went into effect, relating to persons with disabilities. They are as follows:
This law requires retail establishments that don’t offer public restrooms but have an employee restroom to allow any customer with an eligible medical condition to use the employee restroom during normal business hours. If this law is violated, the customer can take legal action, not to exceed $100.
MedStar Health Urinary Research Study
Does your bladder bug you?
Do you have a neurogenic/neuropathic bladder and use indwelling or intermittent catheterization for bladder management? If so, we would like to invite you to participate in a study using a probiotic to decrease urinary symptoms.
For more information, please contact: Chris Riegner christopher.r.riegner@medstar.net or 202-877-1560
MedStar Health is looking for participants for a urinary symptoms study (#NCT05230511).
Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy
July 2024
August 2024